Pete Zidnak Collection of San Jose State University Sports History, 1890-1995, documents the history of athletics at San José
State University. The collection consists of two binders that represent the research of Emeritus Business Professor Pete Zidnak.
This research includes historical information on the formation of athletics and the emergence of intercollegiate sports competition
at SJSU. The bulk of the collection consists of photocopies from archival resources that document the early history of the
State Normal School, statistics on student enrollment, tuition costs, information on the athletic logo and school colors,
homecoming, parades and rallies, the school band, songs, cheers and yells, and game statistics. In addition, the research
chronicles other activities related to athletic governance, college life, and events related to athletics. The collection
also includes a timeline and complete bibliography for further research. This collection is arranged into one series: Series
I. SJSU Sports History, 1890-1995.

Background

In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers
in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California
State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San
José, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed
the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed
in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes,
Minns' Normal School is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations,
and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.

Extent

5 archival binders: 2 duplicates
(1.04 linear feet)

Restrictions

Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish
or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the
original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Availability

The collection is open for research. However, patrons may not make photocopies from the binders on request of the donor.